11 Unique Business Ideas for High School Students in 2024-2025
With the advent of technology and its increasing integration with our lives, it has become easier than ever for high school students to start their own businesses. This rising trend is about more than just making some extra pocket money—it’s an effective way to build skills, enhance college applications, and gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship.
Some structured programs give high school students who want to launch a business mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and training in essential skills like marketing. The Young Founders Lab is one such program. This start-up boot camp gives you the chance to build a revenue-generating start-up with mentorship from entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. You can access the application link here!
Launching a small business while in high school can show college admissions officers your initiative, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage real-world challenges. If you’re considering becoming a young entrepreneur, here are 11 unique business ideas you can consider to get started.
11 unique business ideas to pursue
Starting a business as a high schooler can be both challenging and rewarding. Here are 11 unique business ideas that you can launch with a relatively low investment. Each idea offers scalability, meaning you can start small and expand as your customer base grows.
Start a tutoring service: If you excel in a particular subject, you can help peers or younger students by offering tutoring sessions. With online tools like Zoom or Google Meet, you can tutor students remotely, saving time and expanding your reach.
Build an online thrift store: With platforms like Depop and Poshmark, reselling vintage or secondhand clothing has become a popular business for young entrepreneurs. Start by sourcing gently used items from family, friends, or thrift stores, and set up an online store with eye-catching photos and descriptions.
Offer social media management services: This is an idea that requires sufficient amounts of experience with social media tools, and you might also need to complete a few certifications to be competent. Many small businesses need help with social media marketing but may lack the budget to hire an agency. If you’re familiar with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, you can offer affordable social media management to local businesses.
Sell personalized gifts: Crafting personalized items like custom jewelry, T-shirts, or mugs can be a great business if you’re creative. With materials sourced online or at local craft stores, you can create unique products to sell through Etsy or Instagram. This avenue requires both knowledge of graphic design as well as access to a supplier or manufacturer who can put your designs into production.
Pet sitting and dog walking: For animal lovers, offering pet-sitting or dog-walking services in your neighborhood can be a simple way to make money. Start by advertising in local Facebook groups or handing out flyers at nearby pet stores. This is a relatively easy business idea to pursue, and you can get started at any time.
Offer digital marketing services: If you have a knack for writing, graphic design, or video editing, you can offer digital marketing services like content creation, email marketing, or ad design for small businesses. Similar to social media management, you need a fair bit of background in both marketing and digital media to offer these services.
Start a baking or meal prep service: If you enjoy cooking or baking, consider offering customized meal prep or baked goods. You can start small by baking for local events or taking online orders through social media. This is a high effort and moderate investment business idea, but the returns can be equally large since it involves skilled labor.
Offer photography services: If you have a camera and an eye for photography, offer photo sessions for family portraits, pets, or even senior photos for your peers. Showcase your work on Instagram or a simple website to attract clients.
Start an event planning service: High school students often need help organizing parties, prom proposals, or sports events. Offer affordable event planning or coordinating services to help students or families plan memorable occasions.
Create an e-book or digital course: If you have expertise in a particular area, like photography, graphic design, or even skateboarding, consider creating an e-book or digital course. Platforms like Teachable or Gumroad make it easy to sell digital products.
Offer virtual assistant services: Many busy professionals need help with tasks like scheduling, data entry, or email management. With basic organizational skills, you can offer virtual assistant services remotely, which can fit well with a high school schedule.
What does high school entrepreneurship involve?
Running a business involves several stages, each of which provides valuable learning experiences. Let’s walk through an example of starting a digital marketing service:
Planning: You’ll need to begin by deciding which services to offer—such as social media management, content creation, or graphic design. You will then need to identify your target market, whether local businesses, online stores, or individual clients. It’s important to keep your time and expertise constraints in mind and not stretch yourself too much. It’s better to focus on a few clients at first and excel at what you’re good at to build a satisfied user base.
Budgeting: Your startup costs might include a social media management tool (e.g., Buffer or Canva Pro), certifications, and any software you might need. Using free resources initially can help keep costs low. Aim to set a budget for marketing expenses, like boosting posts on social media or printing flyers.
Marketing: Once your business idea and finances are in place, you’ll need to start bringing in leads. Social media is a great way to promote your business. Create an Instagram or LinkedIn page showcasing your services and past work (if available). You could also consider reaching out to local businesses or networking at school to spread the word. And remember that the best marketing is word-of-mouth—satisfied customers are your best, free advocates.
Customer service: Customer interactions are essential in any business. For digital marketing services, prioritize clear communication with clients. Setting realistic deadlines and maintaining a professional attitude will go a long way to the satisfactory conclusion of projects.
Day-to-day management: Your daily routine may involve checking and responding to emails, scheduling content, and tracking your budget. Staying organized and maintaining a consistent workflow will be key to managing client expectations and deadlines effectively.
What skills do you need?
Getting started as a high school entrepreneur doesn’t require advanced skills, but it helps to have a foundation in a few areas. Here are some essential skills and resources:
Basic knowledge of social media: Many business ideas rely on social media for promotion. Familiarity with Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok can be helpful for businesses that are involved in digital marketing or event planning. You can enhance your skills with free courses on platforms like HubSpot Academy and Coursera.
Customer service skills: Being approachable and responsive can greatly enhance customer satisfaction, especially if you’re offering services like tutoring or dog walking. Consider volunteering or working in a retail setting to develop these skills.
Basic accounting knowledge: Keeping track of income, expenses, and profits is essential for any business. Free online resources like Khan Academy’s Finance courses can help you learn the basics of budgeting and financial management.
Time management: Balancing schoolwork, extracurriculars, and a business can be challenging. Practice setting realistic schedules, and use tools like Google Calendar or Trello to stay organized.
Pros & Cons to consider
Pros
A good way to get practical work experience: Running a business provides hands-on experience that can’t be learned in a classroom, preparing you for future careers or college projects. You’ll build transferable skills like communication, organization, and time management.
A crash course in financial literacy: Managing a budget, setting prices, and understanding profits help develop essential financial skills.
You could earn a tidy profit: A well-run business can generate income, offering a financial incentive to maintain and grow it. These funds can then be put towards college or other educational opportunities.
Enhances college applications: Admissions officers value students who demonstrate initiative, responsibility, and entrepreneurial spirit. Starting a successful business as a high school student can help you stand out in a competitive admissions pool.
Cons
Requires a fair bit of time management: Balancing business responsibilities with schoolwork can be challenging, especially during exams or busy school periods.
There can be significant initial investment involved: Some businesses require upfront costs for materials, software, or marketing, which may be a barrier.
Potential for failure: Like any venture, starting a business comes with risks. An estimated 82% of first-time businesses fail. Learning to accept failure and try again is an essential lesson that you may have to learn.
Starting a business while in high school can be a rewarding experience, full of growth and challenges. By planning carefully and taking advantage of every resource available to you, you can potentially launch a successful venture that not only generates income but also builds skills and boosts your college applications.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.